Australia said on Wednesday it was not ruling out any possible action by the country in relation to the alleged killing of one of its citizens by Russian forces. Moscow apparently captured the Australian Oscar Jenkins in Ukraine, where he fought on the side of Kyiv, TASR reports, according to an AFP report.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the government was working “hard” to verify the report of Jenkins’ death. Australian television Channel Seven, citing unnamed sources, claims that found his body, but there has been no official confirmation of identity yet.
In December of last year, a video appeared on the Internet in which Jenkins is interrogated and punched in the face by a man speaking Russian. The Australian allegedly fought in the war in Ukraine on the side of the Ukrainian forces, writes AFP.
Wong told the American television station ABC News that the Russian ambassador was summoned this week in the matter. At the same time, she emphasized that currently “no potential steps of the country are excluded” if the reports are confirmed.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was very concerned. “We will wait for the facts, but as long as Oscar Jenkins has suffered reprehensible harm, the Australian government will take the strongest possible action.” he told reporters. The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Russia is obliged to treat prisoners of war in accordance with international law.
Relations between Moscow and Australia have been strained for many years, reminded the minister. She mentioned the invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, or the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014 by a surface-to-air missile system that apparently belonged to the armed forces of the Russian Federation. The MH17 crash over eastern Ukraine killed 298 people on board, including 38 Australians.
“Australia has maintained diplomatic relations with Russia…under various governments,” underlined Wong. “However, we will consider all options when we get the facts and verify what really happened to Mr. Jenkins,” the minister concluded, adding that her thoughts are with the family of the Australian.
